The Fatuk was a Japanese long-line fishing ship, converted from a refrigerated freighter. It was confiscated by the U.S. Customs Service for attempting to smuggle 2000 pounds of marijuana into the country in a freezer.

As is evident in the photo above, the Fatuk went over on her port side. There is no longer any sign of the superstructure, and the vessel has turned over about 135 degrees in total - almost upsidedown.

The rudder and propeller

Looking forward along the starboard bilge keel - the highest point on the wreck

The bow, with a large mooring bit

A distinctive bit of machinery at the break near where the bridge would be

Good Times

Making history - the Good Times was the first vessel sunk by the
New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife's ( then ) new Artificial Reef Program.

Type:

shipwreck, charter boat

Specs:

( 52 x 14 ft )

Sunk:

Wednesday August 15, 1984

GPS:

unknown

Depth:

80 ft

The engine was removed and the wooden hull was filled with concrete and tire units. The Good Times broke apart after only a few weeks on the bottom, and is now completely disintegrated. The program has had enormous successes since this first small beginning.

"John Dobilas" is a twin to the "Mako Mania" and the "Captain Bart". See construction for more photos of this class of ship. The "N" in the classification is for "non-self-propelled" - at some point her engine must have broken down, and wasn't worth fixing.

The job of these little tankers was to store and distribute fuel in port, not carry it long distances. The Navy classified them as self-propelled barges. They could get around in protected waters without assistance, and could even deploy overseas, although slowly crossing the open ocean in one of these must have been a little scary. Fully loaded, they have practically no freeboard. They were not equipped for navigation, and crew facilities were rudimentary.

The "yard tanker" role has largely been taken over by tugs and barges. However, these hulls are renowned for their toughness and longevity, much like the AKL freighters. These small vessels lasted decades after their bigger brothers went to the breakers, and many of them are still in use today. One of the 156 foot YO-153 class is the star of "The Deadliest Catch:"

Former YO-210, built 1945, purchased in 1974 and extensively modified for crab fishing in Alaska

These old hulls seem to be indestructible

With raised sides and a completely new superstructure, she bears little resemblance to her former self. What you can't see is that she is re-engined with a much more powerful turbo-diesel, turning a more efficient modern propeller, and she also has a bow thruster installed. All this makes her much more seaworthy, able to cope even with Alaskan weather. The engine room is greatly enlarged for extra generators and hydraulics, to drive the cranes and refrigeration plant.

AOG-23 Ammonusuc

Built in 1944, by East Coast Shipyards Incorporated of Bayonne, New Jersey ( hull #5 ) as the Ammonusuc ( design number USMC #1520, Mettawee class, ) a T-1 tanker for the United States Navy. T-1 tankers were small product carriers, designed to carry gasoline. Almost all of them went to either the US Navy, as AOGs , or to Britain, for service in a similar role. Many were under construction at the end of the war, and were sold immediately. This unit entered service on the May 19th, 1944, and was designated as AOG-23.

In 1948, she was sold and renamed Providence. In 1962, the unit was acquired by Texaco Marine Company Incorporated of Beaumont, Texas, where she was lengthened, and renamed Texaco Providence. In 1968, she was acquired by the Reinauer Transportation Companies of Staten Island, New York and renamed Dean Reinauer.

In 1969, she was burned up and declared a constructive total loss. In 1970, she was converted to a tank barge at the Caddell's Dry Dock Company in Staten Island, New York, and renamed BFT No. 1. Assigned to the Reinauer Transportation Company subsidiary Boston Fuel Transportation Company of Boston, Massachusetts.

The barge was then acquired by a Norfolk, Virginia based owner, renamed Mary C, and converted to carry sludge. Then acquired by Eklof Marine Corporation of Staten Island, New York, and stripped for spare parts.

Molasses Barge

This barge was actually used to transport molasses from the Caribbean to a New York distillery to make rum. Molasses is a thick syrup by-product from the processing of the sugarcane or sugar beet into sugar.

One of the oldest sites in the reef, the Molasses barge is falling apart and opening up, and the fish love it.

Built in 1941, by Harry A. Marvel and Company of Newburgh, New York (hull #226) as the Carrie T. Meseck for Meseck Towing and Transportation of New York, New York. On May 29th, 1941 the tug was acquired by the United States Navy, and designated YT-173 Manistee. The tug was converted for Naval service at Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York and placed in service on August 8th, 1941, allocated to the 3rd Naval District at New York City.

On May 15th, 1944 she was redesigned YTB-173 Manistee. The tug was placed out of service on August 30th 1946, and struck from the Naval Register on the December 13th, 1946. On February 26th, 1947 she was transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal. In 1947, the tug was acquired by Meseck Towing and Transportation of New York, New York, and renamed back to Carrie T. Meseck.

In 1954, Meseck Towing and Transportation was acquired by the Moran Towing Company of New York, New York. In 1955, the Moran Towing Company renamed the tug Susan A. Moran. In 1958, she was transferred to the Moran Towing affiliate, the Curtis Bay Towing Company of Baltimore, Maryland, and renamed Wagners Point. In 1988, the Curtis Bay Towing Company was absorbed into the Moran Towing Corporation of New York, New York. In 1990, the tug was acquired by the John E. Moore Company of Baltimore, Maryland. She was a single screw tug, rated at 1,400 horsepower.

Side-scan sonar image of the Wagner's Point, showing a very nice
sonar shadow of the deckhouse profile.

Weeks 218

This barge was sunk by Navy Seals in a demolitions exercise, and shows large blast holes. The reef also includes 5 tanks.

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Disclaimer:

I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.